Finding affordable housing is difficult in large cities, especially when it seems expensive condominiums are popping up at every corner. And for those on a tight budget, getting by can be a challenge when job leads don't pan out and friends and family live far away.

These are the kind of issues weighing on the hearts of some of the congregation at The Salvation Army Lakeshore Community Church in Toronto. Located in a residential area in the southwest corner of Toronto, Lakeshore offers various programs for community members to connect with each other and discover God in a safe environment.

With an average attendance of 60 people on a Sunday morning and 30 for the evening service, corps members regularly volunteer their time to connect with their community. The corps has programs for all ages, including an active seniors' ministry and a community care ministries team that visits eight nursing homes each month.

“I love coming to the community Bible study because it has helped me understand the peace that God has for me,” says Ilona Beaudoin, speaking of the Monday morning group led by Major Bill Bowers. “The world cannot take away this peace no matter what is happening.”

Learning how to cook nutritious meals on a tight budget—often using ingredients from the church's food bank—is another popular program that draws community members together as they make new friends and enjoy a meal.

In the slideshow below, peer into the work of this small, but mighty congregation that aims to share the life-changing knowledge of Jesus Christ in all its programs and connections with the community.